Murder Rates Down In Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — East Baton Rouge Parish saw a 38 percent drop in the number murders during the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2012.

The parish had 31 homicides during the first half of 2013.

Authorities in East Baton Rouge Parish investigated 50 homicides by July 3 last year and 40 in 2011.

The Advocate reports that the drop in homicides began in September, which is when the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination Project began operating.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has investigated 24 homicides, 11 less than this point last year, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office has investigated seven, which is half the number it investigated at this time last year.